Bravo Eugenia, a 109-meter yacht purchased by Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, is photographed in Rotterdam returning from its maiden voyage. Oceanco, a Dutch shipyard, delivered the yacht to Jones in December after successful sea trials in winter conditions. Jones reportedly paid $250 million for the superyacht that features two helipads, a tender garage, a spa and gym.

MOBILE, Ala. -- Surrounded by reporters on the concourse of Ladd-Peebles Stadium, home of the annual Senior Bowl, team owner Jerry Jones was asked how close the Cowboys are to getting back to the Super Bowl Tuesday afternoon.

Dallas, of course hasn't played in one since the 1995 season. Its 2018 season ended in the NFC divisional round against the Los Angeles Rams, who will play the New England Patriots for the Lombardi Trophy on Feb. 3 in Atlanta.

"Standing here at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, we're a long way from the Super Bowl," Jones said. "But I thought about that when I was sitting there watching the game with the Rams -- 'I'm going to be sitting there that first day down in Mobile, and it's going to seem like a long way from the penthouse to the outhouse.'

"I love the Senior Bowl and I love how Mobile presents it, but it still seems forever. It's a long way to get there, it's a year to get back there. That long, long effort and that long deal has a discouraging aspect to it. But that's the game. That's what we do."

Jones actually got emotional as he continued to talk about the Senior Bowl and all that goes into the NFL's offseason. Jones said at 76 he still has the drive to take part in all the events -- and that's even with his new purchase of a $250 million yacht.

"I enjoy the ocean a lot," Jones said. "I probably don't get to do it as much as I'd like to, because of how active I am. For me, at this time, it's every day, every day, all the way. Playing, working -- every day is a big day. I get a huge kick -- I would not be here if I didn't want to be here. It's emotional here, but I love this. I love being here. They hurt, but I love the games, the practices, the film sessions. I love all of that. I haven't worked a day since I bought the Cowboys."

Why did the conversation make him emotional?

"I just remember the many days I've been here in Mobile, and I've hopefully got a lot of days left here in Mobile," he said. "I just have a good feeling about the Senior Bowl and about the people involved. I remember a lot of people that aren't here, that were here 25 years ago, 30 years ago.

"I'll never forget the first morning that I was here in Mobile. We had a staff meeting. We had our entire coaching staff. Jimmy Johnson was our coach. We had the entire scouting staff. And it probably was in excess of 35-40, and it could've been -- counting pilots and all -- it could've been 45 people. Well, Mike Brown of the Cincinnati Bengals -- my good friend -- came up and he had his staff of three. ... This was February, that I'd bought into the league. And he said 'Are you enjoying this?' And I said 'This is the greatest thrill I've had to date.'

"And he said 'Well, I hope you are, because you don't need 50 people to scout this place.'"